City Comparison
Naperville vs Aiken
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Naperville scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Naperville
Aiken
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Aiken is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
18% lower than in Naperville.
Housing costs are a major driver: Naperville's average rent is
39% higher than Aiken's.
| Metric | Naperville | Aiken | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,950 | $1,400 | +39% |
| Groceries | $460 | $400 | +15% |
| Utilities | $175 | $236 | -26% |
| Transport | $130 | $120 | +8% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $250 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $2,945 | $2,406 | +22% |
| Cost Index | 122 | 89 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Naperville offers 29% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Aiken delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Naperville is estimated at
$70,000 vs $55,000 in Aiken.
| Metric | Naperville | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $85,000 | $65,884 |
| Salary Needed | $70,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 69,672 idx | 74,027 idx |
| Household Income | $145,000 | $76,746 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Naperville runs warmer on average — a 51.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Naperville comes out ahead with 250 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Naperville sees 26.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Naperville | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 82.60°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 17.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 34.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 26.20 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 250 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Aiken has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Naperville.
Naperville scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Naperville leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Naperville | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 31 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 54.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Naperville is the larger city
— approximately 4.5x the population of Aiken.
From a growth perspective, Aiken is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Aiken has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Naperville | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,540 | 33,306 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 46.6 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 3.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Naperville
Advantages
Consistently ranked among the top public school districts in Illinois per Niche 2024 data
Extremely low crime rates and high safety profile relative to national averages per FBI crime reports
Vibrant downtown area featuring the scenic Riverwalk, local dining, and boutique shopping
Direct commuter rail service to downtown Chicago via the Metra BNSF line
Strong local economy with high median household incomes well above the national baseline
Drawbacks
Significantly higher cost of living and housing prices compared to the national average
Elevated property taxes characteristic of the Chicago collar counties
High level of car dependency outside of the immediate downtown district
Traffic congestion during peak commuting hours along major corridors like Route 59 and I-88
Cold and snowy winter climate requiring substantial seasonal maintenance
Aiken
Advantages
The cost of living in Aiken is approximately 11% lower than the national average.
Aiken boasts a higher homeownership rate of 68.1% as of 2024.
The city offers a mild climate with ample opportunities for outdoor activities and a vibrant downtown.
Aiken County's unemployment rate of 3.4% in April 2026 is lower than the national average.
The average commute time of 24 minutes is considered manageable.
Drawbacks
Aiken's transportation system is largely car-dependent, with limited public transit options.
The city's safety index of 30 suggests a higher crime rate compared to national benchmarks.
Aiken County's poverty rate of 14.3% is higher than the national average of 12.5%.
While the downtown is walkable, the city overall has a lower walkability score due to car dependency.
Some utility costs are reported to be slightly higher than the national average.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Naperville
#223Illinois, USA
63.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,950
Avg Salary
$85,000
Cost Index
122
Commute
31 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
250/yr
Avg Temp
51.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
90
Business
80
Aiken
#322South Carolina, USA
60.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,400
Avg Salary
$65,884
Cost Index
89
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
55.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.20%
Unemployment
3.40%
Livability
72
Business
65
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